DIVIDED GOVERNMENT TYPES OF DIVISIONS AND IMPACTS ON GOVERNMENT FUNCTION.

DIVIDED GOVERNMENTTYPES OF DIVISIONS AND IMPACTS ON GOVERNMENT FUNCTION

OCCURRENCES

Within Congress Each chamber of Congress is

controlled by a differing party Republicans control one

chamber, Democrats control the other

Legislation that is heavily supported by on party easily passes one chamber, but may be defeated by the other

Between Branches Congress is controlled by one

party, but the Executive Branch is run by another

Currently: Republicans have a majority in both the House and the Senate; however, President Obama is a Democrat President’s threat of the use

of veto power

IMPACTS WITHIN CONGRESS

Party Power within the 113th Congress

IMPACTS WITHIN CONGRESS

Party Power within the 114th Congress

IMPACTS WITHIN CONGRESS

General Passage of Legislation

Budget ProceduresWho’s to Blame?

IMPACTS BETWEEN BRANCHES

Increased TensionsBudget IssuesPresidential VetoExecutive OrdersUse of Media/Bully Pulpit

GENERAL EFFECTS OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

Benefits Creates dialogue Encourages compromise Forces members to “work across the

aisle” Enhances bipartisan relationships

Drawbacks POLARIZES the parties Promotes GRIDLOCK Intensifies divisions between the branches Pushes chambers/branches into “power

plays” Veto threat Government shutdowns